Jackknife was sitting on the roof of the Mikado's house and looked at the blue sky. He had many thoughts, but most of them were about Tasuku. He was wondering if the boy was alright and unhurt. It was still greatly affecting him that the boy joined the Disaster group and sided with Azi Dahaka. The greatest wound was surely the fact that the boy had Demios as his new buddy. He closed his eyes and sighed.

"What are you doing here Jackknife?" someone asked.

Jackknife looked at the one asking the question and saw Tenbu flying by his side, "I am simply thinking about Tasuku. He is still out there and I cannot reach him or even help him… If he even needs my help."

The old dragon lightly chuckled.

"It's not funny! We've been together for many years and now it feels as if it is over. I know our bond is still here. He called me Jack again, but I just don't know what I can do right now."

Tenbu lightly his the other green dragon snout and replied, "You just need to be patient Jackknife. You believe in Tasuku right?"

"Yes, but I am doubting myself," Jackknife admitted.

Tenbu looked at the other dragon with all the seriousness he had, "Jackknife. Do you believe you can convince Tasuku to return to you and leave Demios behind?" he got no answer. Tenbu wasn't getting more explicit, but said, "Remember that it is Tasuku. You passed so many years together and you both know each other's very well."

"Since we were together, we were very close. I feel like I was the father of this boy after he lost his own parents. I never heard of any of his relatives since then. I was the one who raised him as much as a dragon could with a human. I want Tasuku back by my side, but I just don't know how I can do it right now."

"Then you have to be patient Jackknife. The time will come for you to fully reawaken the bond you have with Tasuku," Tenbu said.

Jackknife looked once again in the sky, I know our bond is still here. Maybe, I just need to find a way to show him that he took the wrong path… If he doubts it. Tasuku, we will be a family once again. I know I believe it and must believe it, "Thanks."

"Don't thank me yet. Tasuku must know how you feel for him and you have to be ready to fight for him," Tenbu declared.

"I will be," Jackknife answered. He repeated it, "I will be."

Chapter 125: Ceremony

Drum and Gao followed Fang Slade Terrestrial The XIII deeper in the temple. Gao wondered what was around him. He wondered if he was seeing tombstones or not. He wasn't sure if it was the case or not, but didn't dare to say anything since it was an important moment.

The XIII knew that the boy was curious about where he was and what was going on right now. He gazed at the boy and said, "If you are wondering what is around us, you can see where every rulers of Dragon World are. It isn't just our clan, but also the previous rulers, but it is divided. The deeper we are going inside the temple, the more we are moving towards where my ancestors were buried for the rest of eternity. As for the ceremony, you will see it yourself, but I can tell you that the ceremony wasn't give to her since her body wasn't complete and her killer still on the loose," he said nothing for a moment, but was furiously thinking about the one who murdered his mate.

"What's going to happen to him father?" Drum asked.

"Despair, The Reaper has been judge for his crimes already. He won't live for a long time since Azi Dahaka doesn't care about whatever would happen to him. Despair will be execute for his crime and his ashes sent away," The XIII replied.

Drum was satisfied for the sentence at the murdered of his father and nodded, "I can put this behind me now," he had a few questions to ask his father, but now that they reached their destination, he knew it would have to wait.

Drum grabbed Gao and they walked towards the side while The XIII moved towards the tombstone of his mother.

The tombstone had been recently opened as the XIII stood in front of it. He looked inside and saw the rest of his mate skeleton. He gently looked at the skull, wanting to put it with the remaining of the body right now, but he had to proceed to the ritual. He began the ritual and talked in a language Gao didn't know.

Drum gazed at the boy and back to his father. He chose to explain later that his father spoke in the ancient language of the dragons. It was the language his ancestors spoke long ago before it evolved with the contact with other worlds and evolved. Even he couldn't explain how he could speak the same language as the humans in the present and just went along with it. There were many things unknown in this world.

Gao simply watched the ruler of Dragon World continuing the ceremony, not understanding anything except the fact that it was important. Eventually, the XIII looked at his son and took a few steps of the left and let his son take his place.

Drum looked at the remaining of his mother and saw the skull of her, put where it rightfully belongs. He could still see the mark of the blade where she was beheaded, but the flesh and the blood from the past was gone.

He put his hands forwards and whispered, "Mom. I thank you for everything you offered me during the time you were among us. I will carry on from within me the flame of the ruler and made sure that our world will keep rising. I will honor your name and our ancestors and carry on your will."

He then proceeded to repeat the same words in the ancient language than his father used, forever remaining unknown to the boy. When he finished, he prayed with his hands in front of his face, with his father doing the same thing. No one asked Gao to do it, but to respect it, he also did it.

When they were finished, The XIII put his hand on Gao' shoulder and said, "Let's leave him alone for now."

Gao looked at his buddy and guessed he wanted to say a few personal things. Probably as he did with his older brother when he told him his life in the living world.

When Drum was sure that he was alone, he began whispering to his late mother, "Mom. I know you are wondering how I was doing for a while, but I left Dragon World during a mission and I didn't return, except for one time. If you are worried about me, there is no need to be. I am now living on Earth with a friend from this planet named Gao Mikado. He is someone strong and brave who I can rely on. Right now, we are planning to fight against Azi Dahaka, ruler of Darkness Dragon World and stop him from whatever plot he has on Earth. Don't worry, I will not fight him alone or without thinking. I have many other friends and other monsters coming from different world, ready to work together to protect the Earth. I will not fail this mom, not just because you want to rest assure or to prove that I an become the next ruler of Dragon World. I am doing this because it is what I believe is the right thing and because the Earth is the world of my friend Gao. That's why I'm doing this. Just like you taught me, to fight and protect those you care about, right?" he stood up and added, "Sorry if there isn't a lot to tell you mom, but just know that I am a capable dragon and I wished I knew you better when you were still with us," he turned around and walked away, he said in his mind, Just like learning that you were an Original Dragon.

He gazed at the tomb of his mother one last time. He knew that her tomb will close soon enough when his father would come back and gave his final farewells. Once his father was done with that, he would ask him more about his mother.

Suzumi looked outside as she lightly sighed. She was a little worried about her son and wasn't sure if everything was alright or something happened. There is no one who can help her son except Drum and maybe his father. Her husband came and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry too much about Gao. You know he is in capable hands," Takashi said.

Suzumi nodded, "I know, but he is in another world. He cannot call for help if he is in trouble."

"I'm sure that Drum will carefully watch Gao. We know Drum and the ruler of Dragon World is with him," Takashi replied, looking a little worried too, despite saying those words.

Halberd overheard them and joined them, "You don't have to worry about your son. Dragon World is a safe place now, even more than Earth sometimes," he added a little nervously since it was his home now.

"How is it safer?" Takashi asked curiously.

"With Fang Slade Terrestrial The XIII as a strong and stable leader of Dragon World. He defeated everyone and has power over the entire world. Once you prove yourself as the leader, the other's followed his commands and won't be on his bad side or faced the consequence. It won't be the same when it will be Drum's turn thought. He will have to prove himself, but that's for later date," the red dragon explained, "Also, there is still no dragons who might pose a treat to my ruler right now."

"Than that calms me down a little," Suzumi said.

"Me too," Takashi added.

Drum walked out of the temple and gazed at his father, looking back at him. The crowd of dragons were still present and were giving their prayers to the Empress Of Fire as they did when they were inside the temple. With no words, they looked at each other's until his father whispered, "We will talk about your mother later. We have to finish the ceremony first."

Drum nodded.

The XIII said, "Dragons!"

They opened their eyes and respectfully watched their ruler.

"It is now time to let her had her eternal slumber. Now that he body is whole once again, she will now truly leave us," he said.

The door of the temple slowly closed. He then proceeded with the rest of the ceremony, and the dragon dispersed. Eventually, the dragons returned to their occupations with a few dragons cleaning everything before leaving too.

Drum gazed at his father and when it was time, he asked, "Who was really my mom?"

The XIII looked at his son and replied, "Later. Since Gao is here, you can show him around a little."

Drum nodded and replied, "Sure," he knew his father needed some time by himself and left with Gao.

AC: This is the end of this chapter.

Next: We Begin To Act.